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View: Everton starlet Ellis Simms can use Sunderland loan to make first-team claim
Everton starlet Ellis Simms has reportedly secured a season-long loan move to Sunderland, so now the striker can use the move to show what he can do.
The 21-year-old is one of the most promising players in the Everton academy and has already been on two loans away from the club in the past, joining Blackpool in the Championship in 2021 and Hearts in the SPFL towards the end of last season.
Simms will hope he can use this most recent loan to truly show what he can do, force his way into Frank Lampard’s plans, and stake a claim for a future first-team spot.
The Sunday Mirror’s Darren Witcoop said on Twitter: “Everton striker Ellis Simms will sign for Sunderland today.
“There was strong Championship interest with Blackpool and Huddersfield also pushing hard for the loan deal.”
Big future for Ellis?
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Ellis already has the build and goal-scoring record of a capable striker, but all he is missing is the experience that would help a manager trust him with leading the line for their team for a full season.
His two previous loans were both successes on the goal-scoring front with the youngster averaging a goal ever 2.6 games during the two loan spells.
The 21-year-old first put his name into the spotlight with his scintillating goal-scoring rate at youth level, averaging a goal every 1.4 games while playing for Everton’s under-18 and under-21 teams.
The former Man City youth player’s absurd 58 goals in 83 games is proof that youth football is clearly beneath him, and it is time to get a full season of men’s football under his belt.
The 21-year-old is a strong forward who is good at holding up the ball, running in behind defences, and a clinical finisher as shown by his excellent goal-scoring record.
He can score different types of goals, including running in behind the defence or finishing from close range with a poacher’s instinct.
Sunderland are a club going in the right direction after their promotion to the Championship last season and it will be interesting to see how Simms develops at the Stadium of Light.
In other Everton news, Stanley Mills has impressed Frank Lampard during pre-season and could be in line for a first-team opportunity this season.